1970s

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In 1968 the Metropolitan Fund, Incorporated, requested the Citizens Research Council to undertake a comprehensive study in the field of regional finance. The purpose of the study was to identify, describe and analyze the more significant alternative methods which were being utilized in the United States and Canada to finance regional services on a regional basis, and to evaluate the potential of these methods for the regional financing of regional services in Southeast Michigan. The principal thrust of the study was to be directed toward multi-county programs, rather than those involving only a single county or part of a county (such as the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto). However particularly significant instances of financing sub-regional programs might be included. The study was not intended to include instances of regional financing of local services (i.e., a regional-level tax to provide funds for local governments), nor was it to consider the financing of regional planning or educational activities. The study was not designed to develop specific recommendations as to services which should be performed on a regional basis in Southeast Michigan or as to methods of regional financing which should be utilized in this area.

The Wayne County Sheriff Department: Part III-IV — Future Role in Law Enforcement/Police Services

On January 27, 1970, seven months after the beginning of the fiscal year, the Detroit board of education passed a budget for the 1969-70 year which contemplates a $16 million deficit. It seems probable that the financial stability of the Detroit school district will be seriously affected by the outcome of budgetary operations for the 1969-70 year.

The 1970-71 Executive Budget (state)

CC 828, ( March 70 ) 8 pages

Governmental Organization in the Greater Midland Area

Report 238, ( March 70 ) 63 pages

Memo to Special Committee on County Organization re Possible Amendment to Public Act 293 of 1966

The Detroit School District appears to be facing an immediate fiscal crisis of substantial proportions. If the July, 1970 through February, 1971 rate of expenditure were to continue through the remainder of the fiscal year, the June 30, 1971 deficit would approximate $30 million. The board of education has approved substantial expenditure reductions, but it does not seem likely that a sizable deficit will be avoided.

Proposal D on the ballot at the November 7, 1972, general election is an amendment to
Article IX, Section 7 of the Michigan constitution to permit graduated income taxes. The
proposed amendment provides: An income tax at flat rates or graduated as to rate or base may be imposed by the state. Political subdivisions of the state may levy an income tax at flat rates or graduated
as to rate or base as may be provided by the legislature.

On November 7, 1972, the voters of the City of Detroit will be asked to ratify or reject the proposed city charter prepared by the Charter Revision Commission. Proposal H asks the voters to decide whether the main body of the proposed charter should be adopted or rejected. Proposals I and J will permit the voters to choose between alternative kinds of representation on the city council (I) and between alternative methods of electing city officials (J). However, in the event that Proposal H is defeated, the vote on proposals I and J would be nullified and the present charter (which provides for nonpartisan-ship elections and a nine-member city council elected at large) would remain in effect. The purpose of this memorandum is to summarize the principal features of the proposed charter in an attempt to give the voter a means for formulating his own decision on this important question.

The Discussion Draft of the New Charter for the City of Detroit, as revised by the Charter Revision Commission and submitted to the governor for review on July 7, 1972, contains a number of innovative concepts and proposals, which could have a far reaching impact on the character of city government in Detroit. Some of the more important new provisions in the proposed charter include:

The introduction of the “responsible city” concept in the charter under which the city would be charged with the responsibility for taking aggressive action to promote the general welfare of its citizens.

Creation of an office of ombudsman with authority to investigate any administrative act by a city official.

Creation of a decentralization commission to prepare a plan for community government which establishes at least eight community councils throughout the city. The city council may, by ordinance appropriate funds and delegate responsibilities to the community councils.

Creation of an independent professional standards department within the executive branch to investigate and adjudicate cases of alleged police misconduct.

Creation of a consumer affairs department with authority to enforce laws and ordinances governing business practices, to grant rand revoke business licenses and permits, and to investigate citizen complaints.

Creation of an environmental protection department empowered to enforce environmental ordinances of the city and “as far as practicable, insure that agencies of the city are operating in a manner least harmful to the environment.”

Under the Michigan home rule act the city charter as adopted by the people provides the framework of government under which the city operates. This framework provides the mechanism for performing two basic and vital functions-the political or policy leadership function and the administrative or operating function.

Two of the basic issues that confronted the charter revision commission with respect to personnel administration were:

1. Whether the administration of the personnel function should be under a director directly responsible to the mayor or under an “independent” civil service commission as is provided in the present charter; and,

2. What the relationship should be between civil service and the collective bargaining function, which is currently performed by a separate labor relations bureau established by ordinance.

Acts 1 and 2 of the 1973 session of the Michigan legislature established procedures under which the Detroit School District might fund an accumulated operating deficit that approximated $70 million on June 30, 1973. This legislation also signaled a clear legislative intent that the district is to cease deficit financing by requiring “the (State) department (of Education) shall take any steps necessary, subject to the district’s contracts and statutory obligations, to assure that the expenditures of a school district which receives moneys under this amendatory act shall not exceed revenues on an annual basis and that the school district maintains a balanced budget.”

CC 871, About Exempting Food and Drugs from the Sales Tax — See also CC 876 — ( November 73 ) 4 pages

Misc., Report and Recommendations of Organization and Management Committee to the Steering Committee and Education Task Force of the Detroit Central Board of Education on Central and Regional Administrative Organizations, and Relationships Between the Two Bodies ( August 73 ) 24 pages

CC 863, Federal Revenue Sharing for Michigan State and Local Government ( February 73 ) 4 pages

CC 862, Outline of the Michigan Tax System (Sixth Edition) Summary of state and local taxes ( January 73 ) 20 pages [Because this publication is revised every two years, past editions have not been made available for download. Please contact CRC to obtain a copy past editions. ]

A comprehensive study of the organization and operations of the Oakland County Road Commission for the purpose of identifying and implementing such changes as may be deemed necessary for maximum utilization of the Commission’s resources.

Michigan’s 1974-75 Spending Program

CC 875, ( August 74 ) 4 pages

The Organization of Ottawa County Government: Present and Proposed

Report 246, ( August 74 ) 22 pages

Monthly Payments to Public Assistance Recipients-Michigan and Neighboring States.

Memo 226, ( August 74 ) 9 pages

Michigan Building & Construction Trades Craft Manpower Study

Report 245, ( April 74 ) 50 pages

The 1974-75 Executive Budget

CC 874, ( February 74 ) 11 pages

Outline of the Michigan Tax System (Seventh Edition)

CC 873, ( January 74 ) 20 pages

Summary of state and local taxes [Because this publication is revised every two years, past editions have not been made available for download. Please contact CRC to obtain a copy past editions. ]

For the third consecutive fiscal year, the Detroit Board of Education on July 1, 1975, adopted a balanced budget. As of June 30, 1973, after four consecutive years of deficits, the Detroit School District had accumulated a year-end cash deficit of $67.9 million. The district would have been forced to close its doors in the Sprint of 1973 except for the passage of emergency state legislation permitting the funding of the deficit. (As of June 30, 1975, the district had outstanding $48.0 million in operating debt retirement notes, which are being paid by a special 2.25 mill property tax.) The legislation permitting the funding of the deficit also requires the Detroit School District to maintain a balanced budget.

Today, many cities are caught in a crunch between increasing public concern about the adequacy of police and fire protection services and the rapidly escalating salary and fringe benefits costs for police officers and fire fighters.

The 1974-75 Budget Problem-City of Detroit and the Outlook for 1975-76

CC 878 ( February 75 ) 2 pages

Despite the January layoffs of almost 1,500 city employees in an effort to stem the tide, it presently appears that the City of Detroit faces a June 30, 1975, deficit of $25-$32 million. Revenues will be some $25-$42 million less than original budget estimates and the cost-cutting measures taken to date will reduce expenditures by about $10 million below the amounts appropriated. While the current state of the economy has exacerbated the city’s fiscal problem, the city budget for 1974-75 was not balanced with solid revenues when it was adopted in the spring of 1974.

Outline of the Michigan Tax System (Eighth Edition) Summary of state and local taxes [Because this publication is revised every two years, past editions have not been made available for download. Please contact CRC to obtain a copy past editions.]

Prompted by research which indicates that persons who commit serious crimes in Michigan are not very likely to be apprehended, convicted or punished, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, with a grant from National Bank of Detroit, requested several of the leading participants in the Michigan criminal justice system to address the question: What can be done to deter crime?

The study examines the operations, services and costs of the existing police and fire departments and the feasibility of consolidating the two departments. The study does not address the efficiency or effectiveness of the personnel, equipment, operations or administration of the existing departments, except as improvements could be effected through consolidation. The report concludes that consolidation of police and fire services is feasible in the City of Grosse Pointe and that a consolidated department can provide improved police and fire services to the citizens of the community at a significant reduction in costs. The report details the proposed organization and staffing of a consolidated department and the methods and procedures to be followed in implementing consolidation.

The Management of Declining Public School Enrollments

Memo 229, ( June 76 ) 32 pages

The 1976-77 Executive Budget

CC 887, ( May 76 ) 10 pages

Crime and the Criminal Justice System — A Background Paper

Memo 228, ( April 76 ) 23 pages

State Financing of Adult Education Programs

CC 886, ( April 76 ) 4 pages

Outline of the Michigan Tax System (Ninth Edition)

Summary of state and local taxes, CC 885, ( February 76 ) 20 pages

[Because this publication is revised every two years, past editions have not been made available for download. Please contact CRC to obtain a copy past editions. ]

Report 251, Proposed Local Government Uniform Budgeting System, Leading to enactment of the Uniform Budgeting and Accounting Act (P.A. 621 of 1978), this paper offered suggestions to bring a uniform budgeting and accounting system to Michigan local governments. ( April 77 ) 38 pages

This analysis of the Taxpayers United ballot proposal (now commonly known as the Headlee Amendment) described how the state and local tax limitations would work. (also see White Paper) (approved 52% for to 48% against)

An Analysis of the Proposal of Taxpayers United for Tax Limitation

Misc., ( July 78 ) 23 pages

Michigan Constitutional Issues — 1978

Report 256, ( July 78 ) 47 pages

A Report to the Michigan Task Force on Medicaid and Health Care Costs

Report 255, ( June 78 ) 220 pages

Criminal Justice Issues — Prompt Trial

Memo 236, ( May 78 ) 28 pages

Salaries Paid by the City of Detroit and Wayne County Compared to Average Market Rates Detroit Area

CC 898, ( May 78 ) 4 pages

Criminal Justice Issues — Delinquency Adjudications Against Juveniles

Memo 235, ( April 78 ) 32 pages

Question of Calling a State Constitutional Convention to be on November, 1978, Ballot

Report 259, A Suggested Budget Measure for Local Units of Government in Michigan The purpose of this document is to present a sample budget ordinance, resolution, or charter provision that may be adopted by local units of government in Michigan. This measure, if adopted, will help to institutionalize budgeting procedures that will result in accountable allocation of local public resources and retention of fiscal stability. It should also enable local units to adopt provisions consistent with the new local budgeting provisions of the Uniform Budgeting and Accounting Act, P. A. 621 of 1973. ( November 79 ) 56 pages

Memo 237, A Survey of State Pension Oversight Bodies For some time, the Michigan legislature had been considering the creation of a pension oversight unit. This report is a digest and analysis of information gathered from a questionaire sent to 20 states that currently had pension oversight units. ( July 79 ) 20 pages

Misc., The Legislator’s Handbook ‘1979-80 (The Last Issued In This Series) ( June 79 ) 40 pages

CC 908, Outline of the Michigan Tax System (Tenth Edition) Summary of state and local taxes, ( March 79 ) 19 pages [Because this publication is revised every two years, past editions have not been made available for download. Please contact CRC to obtain a copy past editions. ]